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(No Model.) `4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. VAN GELDBR.

GRADI SBPARATOR.

Patented July 31, 1883.

4`Sheets-Sheet3.

` (No ModeL) GRAIN SEPARATQR.

Patented July 31, 1883.

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4 Slmets--Sheet'l 4.

P.- VAN GELDER.

GRAIN SBPARATOR.

Patented July `31, 1883.

(No Model.)l

UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Y rIErEE vAN GELDER, lor soWEEBY BRIDGE, COUNTY or YORK, ENGLAND.

GRAIN-SEPARATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming para of Letters Patent No. 282,415, dated July a1,188s. f Application ala March 2,1883. (No model.) Patented in EnglandJuly 1s, A. D. issn, No.3,41a

I all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, PIETER vAN GELDER, of Sowerby Bridge, in the countyof York, in the Kingdomof England, have invented certain newand usefulImprovements in Grain- Separators, (for which a patent was granted me inGreat Britain on the 18th day of July, 1882, No. 3,415,) of which thefollowing is a specification. Io Myinvention relates to that class ofmachines used more Vparticularly for removing garlic and otherimpurities from wheat,whichl consistsessentially, of a revolvingcylinder, l

e against which the grain is delivered, provided I5 in its surface withholes or pockets adapted to Atake up and remove from the mass certainclasses of seeds or matters, leaving the remainder behind. yTheimprovement relatesmainly to an ini- 2o proved form of the cells orpockets, to the means for presenting grain to the cylinder, and

to means whereby the feeding and delivering devices may be adjustedcircumferentially about the cylinder.

Referring to the` accompanying drawings, i

Figure l represents a side elevation of my improved machine. Figs. 2 and3 are elevations of the same, looking against the opposite end. c

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through one side of n 3o the cylinder.Figs. 5 and 6 are face views of rigid beams or supports, which are to beconstructed in any suitable form and of any suit- 4 5 able material,either as a portion of one frame,

or otherwise. Upon the respective beams A are mounted two journal blocksor bearings,

B, designed to give support to opposite` ends of a horizontal cylinder"and its attendant 5o parts.

E represents the cylinder, arranged in a horizontal position and securedupon a central driving-shaft, D, the ends of which are extended throughand receive, indirectly, support from the bearings B, the cylinder beingfree to revolve. The cylinder, which maybe built of wood, metal, orother material in any suitable manner, is provided on its outer surface,with a great number of small holes or pockets,

e. (Clearly represented in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 6o `7.) These cells, of asize corresponding with that of the grains or particles which they areto receive and convey away` from the mass of grain, are made in verticalsection, of a form shown in Figs. 4 and 7, their upper walls in- `65clining graduallybackward into the surface of the cylinder, while theirlower edges are eX- tended abruptly outward to the periphery, jpreferably with a slight curvature forward in the direction of rotation..i In other words, the 7o lower edge of the pocket extends inward at esubstantially right angles to the circumference ofthe cylinder, whiletheiupper edge or snrw l face extends inward at a less angle. Thisconstruction adapts the pockets to readily receive and retain seeds orotherA particles of proper size, and whichgwill be carried upwardtherein7 as the cylinder revolves in thedire'ction in dicated by thearrows, without a tendency to roll outward, or escape in a backwarddirec- 8o tion therefrom. The' gentle inclination at the front or upperedge of the pocket, however, admits of the seeds being readily removedtherefrom in a forward direction-that is-to say, in the direction inwhich the cylinder re` 8 5 l volves. The pockets, of the formrepresented in Fig. 5, are adapted toreceive and retain cockle or othersmall seeds, while those represented in Fig. 6 are adapted to receivethe wheat. i

Outside of `the cylinder I employ a framework to l carry the feeding anddischarging mechanisms constructed in the following man ner: A verticalplate or` frame, C, is mounted e t each end of the cylinder and providedwith '9 5 a tubular journal arranged to encircle the central shaft, D,ofthe cylinder, and seated loosely in the corresponding journal box orbearing,

B. Thetubular journals thus arranged serve to sustain the plates C andadmit of their re- Ioo volving around the shaft D, and at the same timethey serve as bearings for said shaft.

Lengthwise of the cylinder I extend plates C C', secured at their endsfirmly to the rocking end plates, C, and constituting, in connectiontherewith, a frame-work free to rockor tip about the cylinder E, to alimited extent, this frame being designed to give support to thefeed-spout and screw, the dischargingbrush, and the delivery-worm. Uponone of the plates C', and extending the entire length of the cylinder, Iform or attach a feed-trough, F, having an open side adjacent to thecylinder, in order that the grain received therein may lie in contactwith the surface of the cylinder, to the end that those seeds which areto be removed may enter the cells or pockets;

As shown in Fig. 7, the bottom of the feedtrough F is inclined downwardtoward the surface of' the cylinder to facilitate the flw of grain`toward the same. At its lower side the trough is provided with a lip,f, of -felt or equivalent flexible material, the edge of which is curledupward against the surface of the cylinder, as shown in Fig. 7, and 'inoperation held in contact therewith by the pressure of the grain above.This construction effectually prevents the escape of the grain betweenthe edge of the hopper and the surface of the cylinder.

The feeding-trough F communicates at one end withan inlet or/feed-spout,Fthrough which the uncleaned grain is delivered into the machine, andcommunicates at its opposite end with a spout, F, through which thepurified grain is discharged. Lengthwse within the feed-trough F, Imount a horizontal shaft, G, bearing at its ends in the end plates, C,and provided through its length with a series of spiral or obliqueblades, g, by means of which the mass of grain in the trough isthoroughly agitated, so that each particle may come in contact with thecylinder and be gradually passed through themachine from the head to thetail. The constructionof this agitator and feeder may be modified asregards the details, provided it is adapted to operate with the effectabove described. j

Above the feed-shaft G, preferably upon one andthe same shaft, extendinglengthwise of the machine, are a series of yielding guardarms, Q, theforward ends of whichV will. rest against or in close proximity to thesurface of' the cylinder, in order that they may-'act upon and removefrom the cells any large particles which may accidentally lodge thereinand be carried upward by projecting therefrom.

It will be understood that the guards will have no effect upon the smallgrains seated entirely within the pockets, and that their action will beconfinedentirely to those which proj ectbcyond the surface of thecylinder.

rIhe guards Q may be of any suitable form and construction, providedonly that their operative faces lic in close proximity to the cylinder.It is preferred, however, to construct them of elastic wire in a U form,as represented in Fig. 8, with their outer or rear ends, R', coiled andsecured in position, as shown in Fig. 7. It will be understood thatthere Awill be a sufficient number of .these guards placed sideI by sideto extendthe entire length of the cylinder, each free to rise and yieldindependently of the others.

On the opposite side of the cylinder from the feed-trough, and extendingthe entire length thereof, I mount a revolving brush, I, the journals ofwhich are seated in the end frames, C. By means hereinafter describedthis brush is caused to rrevolve and its active surface moved in thesame direction as the adjacent surface of the cylinder, but at a higherspeed, whereby it is caused to act upon and 'remove from the cells thels ecds contained therein. The seeds thus removed descend by gravity pastthe rear side of the cylinder into a trough or receiver, J, locatedbetween the lower edges of lthe plates C C, and sustained thereby and bythe end plates, C.

The trough J contains a worm or screw, K,

of any ordinary or suitable form, whereby the delivery of the seeds iseffected at the end of the machine.

The operation is as follows: The grain to be purified is deliveredthrough the spout F into the trough F, and is distributed lengthwisetherein by means of the revolving blades g. rllhe cylinder being set inmotion, its surface moves upward past the open side of the feed troughagainst the side of the mass of grain resting thereon, the grain beingagitated so that each and every grain is broughtwith certainty againstthe surface of the cylinder, the

grain being at the same time gradually moved lengthwise of the cylinder.Those seeds or impurities which the pockets are adapted to receive entersaid pockets and are carried upward therein, over the top of thecylinder, and descending on the opposite side, fall from the pockets,or, in the event of their failing so to do, are removed by the action ofthe brush I, and descend to the bottom spout, J, from which they aredelivered by the screw. Those large seeds, if any, which may by chancebe retained in the pockets will encounter the guards Q, whereby theywill be displaced from the pockets and caused to fall back into the massbelow.

' Owing to the wide difference between differvent masses of grain asregards the charac-ter and amount of impurities contained therein, andother circumstances, it is desirable that the position of thedelivery-brush I and the height and inclination of the feed-spout withrespect to the cylinder shall be susceptible of adjustment to suit therequirements of each case. It is for this purpose, mainly, that theframe supporting said parts is arranged, as before mentioned, to rock ortipy upon the central journals.

It will be observed that the feed-screw, the

roo

IIO

feed-trough,` the brush, and the delivery-spout are all sustained by theend plates, C, and that the rocking motion of these plates will changethe position of said parts with respect to the cylinder without changingtheirpo'si- Vtions in relation to each other.`

Any suitable means may be employed for rocking the end1` plates orframes, C, and for securing them in different positions-a simple meansconsisting, as represented in Figs. 2 and 8, of links M, pivoted at m tothe supporting-beams A, and provided on their upper ends with slots,through which clamping-bolts a pass into the frames C.

It is obvious that the cells or pockets of the cylinder may be adaptedt'o receive the wheat or other grain and remove the same, leaving grainof smaller size, or that they maybe adaptled to receive the smallimpurities or seeds,

leaving the wheat.

If it be desired to have the machine remove two or more kinds of seed,the surface of the cylinder may be divided transversely into two or morelengths or sections, and the surface of each section provided withcellsadapted to receive a particular kind of seed only. Theresult ofthis arrangement, which is represented in Fig. l0, will be that the seedin the course4 of its passage lengthwise of the cylinder, will firsthave one class of seeds removed by one series of pockets, and then bebrought opposite a second series of pockets, by which another class ofseeds will be removed, and so on repeatedly. v

It is preferred to construct the feed worm or screw of a series of shorthubs or sleeves arranged end to end upon-a shaft, and each bearing twoor more blades, as shown in Fig. 9, this construction permitting theremoval of a broken section and its convenient replacement by another. k

` The present invention is restricted to those matters" and things whichare hereinafter claimed, and as to all matters which may be described orshown, but which are not claimed, the right is reserved to make the samethe subject of a separate application.

Motion will be ordinarily communicated to the machine through the shaftD of the cylinder kby means `of a pulley or equivalent device connectedtherewith. For the purpose of imparting motion thence to the othermoving parts I adopt the following arrangement The shaft of the brush Iis provided at one end with a chain-wheel, L. The shaft of thedelivery-screw is provided with aAchain-wheel, L. The feed-shaft G isprovided with a pulley, L, and an adjustable-spindle or arbor on one ofthe end plates, C, -is provided with two united chain-wheels, L, and themain shaft D is provided with a large chain-wheel, LW', as clearlyrepresented in Figsl and 3. A chain, R, (shown `by dotted lines `in Fig.3,) connects the pulley L of the brush with one of the pulleys, L, and asecondchain, S, (shown in the samedi-gura) passes around the `tion iscommunicated from the `pulley L on the feed-shaft, and thence beneaththe pulley L on the delivery-screw to the starting-pointu It will beseen thatby this arrangement inotion is communicated from the main shaftD, through the npulley L and chain S, to the feed-screw, thedelivery-screw, and the pulley L, and that by means of the chain Rmopulleys Ll to the brush.

As shown in Fig. 3, the shaft-arbor Z, which sustains the .double pulleyL, is mounted in a slot"in the arm C, and secured by a nut-on its innerend, as represented in Fig. l, in order that it may be adjustedlaterally. This adjustment of the double pulley is advantageous, in thatit permits the chains to be readily applied and placed under propertension. By removing the respective pulleys and replacing them by othersof different sizes the relative speeds of the different members may bevaried as required. i A

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isl. Inajgrain-separator, the combination of the cylinder provided with cellsor pockets in its surface, a feed-trough extending length- Wise of saidcylinder, with .the open side adj acent thereto, and a feeding device,substantially as described, to agitate the mass of grain and effect itsmovement through the `trough lengthwise of the cylinder.

. 2. Ina grain-separator, the combinationA of the revolving cylinderprovided with cells or pockets in its surface, the feed-'trough havingan open side adjacent to said surface, and a guard located adjacent tothe surface of the IOO cylinder and above the feed-trough, whereby it isadapted to act upon those'seeds which may project from the pockets andeffecttheir return to the feed-trough.

3. In combination with the cylinder having the external cells or pocketstherein, the feed? trough having the open side adjacent to said;cylinder, and the yielding-guard Q, having its free end located adjacentto the cylinder and above the feed-trough.`

4.-. Ina grain-separator, a cylinder provided IIO with cells in itssurface, combined with a feedtrough having an open side adjacent to thesurface of the cylinder, and a flexible lip or packing applied to thelower edge ofthe trough and acting against the'surface of the cylinder,substantially as described, whereby the escape of the grain between thecylinder and trough is prevented.

5. The combination, with the cylinder having a cellular surface, of thefeed-trough and the flexible lip or packing f, secured to the trough,and having its opposite edge curled .upward against the surface-of thecylinder,as shown.

6. In a grain-separator, in combination with mechanism, substantie llyas described, for de# livering grain to the surface of said cylinder..yand for rotating the same in the direction in-1` dicated, a cylinderhaving in its surface cells or pockets e, the rear edges of which enterl; ruptly from the periphery, while the forward` edges have a gradualinclination inward, asf shown, whereby the escape of the seed from` thecells in a forward direction is permitted.-

7. In a grain-separator, in combination with Io mechanism, substantiallyas described, for de- A livering grain to the surface of said cylinderand for rotating the same in the direction indicated, the cylinderhaving in its surface cells or pockets c, the rear edges of which havean inward and backward curvature, substantially as described and shown,whereby the escape of the grain therefrom is permitted.

8. In a grain-separator, in combination with mechanism, substantially asdescribed, for delivering grain to the surface of said cylinder aud forrotating the same in the direction indicated, a cylinder having in itssurface cells e, the rear walls or edges of which are carried slightlyinward from the bottom to the surface in a forward direction, whiletheir forward edges have a gentle ascent from the bottom to the surface,whereby the escape of the seed from the rear edge of the cells isprevented, but

f its escape from the forward edge facilitated. 3o 9. In agrain-separator, a cylinder provided at different points in its lengthwith cells or pockets of different size, combined with means,substantially as described, for effecting the movement ofthe grainlengthwise over the sur- 35 face of the cylinder, in contact therewith,

` entially about the said cylinder in the manner and by meanssubstantially as described.

18. In combination with the cylinder having the cellular surface, therocking frames' C, the feed-trough, the delivery-brush, the delivery- 55screw mounted in said frames, and means, substantially as described, forlocking said frames in different positions.

14. In combination with the. cellular cylinder and the wheel LW',applied to its axis, the 6o revolving frames C, the delivery-brush, thefeed-screw andthe delivery-screw mounted in' said frames, and providedwith driving-pulleys at their ends, and the driving-chains R S, appliedsubstantially as described.

- PIETER VAN GELDER.

Witnesses:

J. O. OBRIEN,

WM. FAIRBURN HART.

